Our Task
IN the Air Force’s most momentous actions since the Vietnam War, F/A-18 Hornets have flown combat missions over Iraq, guarding coalition air-to-air refuellers and early warning aircraft.

Operation Falconer :: Messages from the Chiefs

The battleground
Overview of Australian, US and UK, and Iraqi forces.

Help available for families
THE Defence Community Organisation and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will work closely to provide the highest level of support to the families of those personnel deployed.

How to support our personnel
MEMBERS of the ADF and the public can show their support to deployed personnel through a message service set up by Defence.

Entitlements announced
ADF personnel joining the coalition to disarm Iraq will receive a comprehensive package of service conditions, including tax-free salary and allowances.

Well-defined rules of engagement
AUSTRALIAN forces involved in Operation Falconer must abide by rules of engagement that have been endorsed by the Government and issued to ADF commanders.

Weathering the conditions
COALITION forces have been impressed with the ability of deployed Air Force personnel to cope with the extreme weather conditions being experienced in the Middle East.

Events cancelled

A vision splendid
THE Air Force has shown its versatility in recent years with a range of deployments, both domestic and overseas, but must now focus on becoming a flexible, adaptable and fully deployable Air Force to meet the challenges of an uncertain future.

Radar system ready to go on line
More than 40 years of Australian research, design and development has led to JORN – Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network.

Idea to store aircrew DNA
A REPORT proposes that a DNA repository for ADF aircrew be established at the Institute of Aviation Medicine in South Australia.

Air Force News wins Web Award
THE International Association of Web Masters and Designers has awarded the Air Force News web site a prestigious 2003-2004 Golden Web Award in the news category.

Hitting the heights
RAAF Base Edinburgh’s redevelopment has really raised the roof. Four 100-tonne cranes simultaneously lifted roofing into place to form the new ARDU aircraft flightline shelters on March 12.

Air Force to get 12 Bushmasters
THE Air Force is expected to take delivery of 12 troop-carrying variants of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle in late 2005.

Health care provider identified
AFTER comprehensive market testing, Mayne Health has been identified as the preferred tenderer to provide health services in Victoria to the Australian Defence Force.

Spirits not dampened
THE heavens may have opened, but RAAF Base Amberley personnel refused to let it rain on their parade.


Retention improvements
THE Australian National Audit Office has found that Defence is making significant progress in implementing measures to retain personnel within the ADF.

Scholarship opportunity
NOMINATIONS have been called for the 2004 Chief of the Defence Force Scholarship to undertake postgraduate research at the University College, Australian Defence Force Academy.

Clarifications

Award a passport to stint overseas
Nominations are sought for the 2003 Prince of Wales Awards from eligible ADF Reservists.

Squadron honoured at plaque unveiling
ON the 60th anniversary of a feat that helped earn a brave No. 22 Squadron Boston pilot the Victoria Cross, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra hosted a plaque dedication ceremony for No. 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron.

Recognition for employers
Two South Australian employers have been recognised for their support of Air Force Reserve personnel at a special ceremony at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Observing peace in E.Timor
TWO Air Force personnel have returned home after peacekeeping stints in East Timor with the United Nations.

Visit marks 80 year Legacy
LEGACY coordinating council chairman Ray Ward has spent three days in East Timor visiting Australian Defence Force people near the West Timor border.

It’s all about perspective
Air power is the most difficult of military forces to measure or even to express in precise terms. – Winston Churchill

Battery warning
A WARNING has been issued about the potential danger if communications batteries are handled or stored incorrectly.

Tindal’s fun day
BALLS were flying and frozen chickens were sliding everywhere as RAAF Base Tindal personnel enjoyed a recent base fun day.

Students all at sea
AIR Force students at the Australian Command and Staff Course (ACSC) have received a taste of life at sea.

Links forged with Brunei
Members of the Royal Brunei Air Force have completed initial officer training with the Royal Australian Air Force for the first time.

Immense intellectual legacy
THE Air Force lost one of its intellectual giants when Group Captain Ian MacFarling PhD unexpectedly died in Hawaii on March 11.

Unit celebrates 60th anniversary
NO. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit will celebrate its 60th anniversary by hosting a Tarakan parade and ball at RAAF Base Darwin on Friday, May 23.